Friday 13 March 2020

PARIS FASHION WEEK DIARY

Before full Corona hysteria broke out over Europe I was able to spent a very busy but very fun week in Paris during fashion week over there, taking BTS snaps of the amazing talents the wonderful agency I work for, Management Artists, represents.

While running from show to show, I got to discover a few new Parisian spots to add to my list, that I of course, had to share with you, including the most gorgeous airbnb I have ever stayed at in Paris.

I know, right now travelling abroad or even leaving your house may be a very scare thought but based on scientific facts (I am from a doctor family after all) I know WE WILL BE OK and staying positive, not thinking like life will end, heck I have even just booked a trip to Copenhagen in May, will make sure our wold keeps moving so get planning on your next trip because out of the darkness of these few months lightness will come again so hopefully the below inspires you a little and gets you dreaming about a Paris getaway.


WHERE I STAYED: THE DREAMIEST AIRBNB THERE EVER WAS IN THE MARAIS





It’s not easy to tell how good an AirBnB will be in real life based on the pictures you get on their site. I have never had a total disaster but there has been times where pictures had clearly been taken at a VERY flattering angle, on my last visit to Paris for the September shows for instance the flat clearly was for airbnb lettings only, lacked personality and was also incredibly loud from outside traffic. 

However on this occasion I hit total jackpot with a little airbnb that looked even better than the already very cute pictures of the place suggested. Owned by the most helpful host Zoe, who left me amazing instructions via WhatsApp voice note, the apartment was simply perfect. Layout, interior design and location could not have been better and if I could I would transport the entire apartment to London. 

I won’t bore you too much with details, its one bed (not a studio which you usually get in this sort of price range), bang in the middle of Marais, close to the Metro stop Republique, and very affordable considering the level of style, taste and effort that has gone into it so if available I cannot recommend Zoe’s place enough, I for one felt totally at home for my 6 days there and would one hundred percent stay there again on my next visit to Paris

Here is the link to her lovely apartment.


HEAVEN FOR A TRUFFLE LOVER @ ARTISAN DE LA TRUFFE



Anyone that knows me just a little will know I LOVE all things truffle. And with love I mean obsessively try and find it on every menu, try any bag of crisps that promises to be flavoured with it and generally trying to make it as much part of my diet as is reasonable on my budget. 

Which is why when my Paris based Austrian makeup artist friend Tom Lorenz suggested a restaurant that literally only serves truffle on its menu I was of course immediately on board, especially as the prices at Artisan De La Truffe proved very reasonable considering their portion sizes and freshly shaved truffle included as part of each dish. 

It may not have been the most vibey restaurant but for a true truffle lover it is a must visit for dinner during a stay in Paris. We shared an outstanding truffled baked camembert, which you can season with truffle salt and truffle oil to your heart’s content as provided on each table, followed by a flawless tagliatelle with truffle cream sauce for me and their special of the day, truffle ravioli with mushrooms, for Tom and I have to say every bite was a delight. Plus for the 17.5 euros I paid for my truffle pasta I got a very generous portion with plenty of freshly shaved truffle on top and our camembert was more than enough for two as a starter and a steal at 14 euros. 

They have 2 restaurants in Paris which do get pretty rammed so make sure you book ahead and take a fellow truffle lover, I want to already go back to try their truffle risotto, truffle scrambled eggs. seared tuna with truffle ( I could go on...) because here the menu is literally made for me and a special treat that won't break the bank!



FOR ALL YOUR BAKED GOOD NEEDS THE BOULANGERIE EVEN THE LOCALS QUEUE FOR @ MAMICHE




Even though Paris (and France as a whole) is of course famous for their baguettes, croissants and boulangeries I hadn’t actually stumbled across that many amazing places selling fresh baked goods on previous visits to Paris that weren’t Paul or Eric Kayser, another (albeit very good) chain of bakeries, which is why it was a gift from the gods that my AirBnB happened to be on the same street as this rather famous little bakery. 

Mamiche not only has 26k followers on Instagram but at most times of the day, apart from Sunday when the bakery is shut, also always has a long queue of locals forming outside, locals that clearly know a little wait is fully worth it here. Intrigued by the constant crowds outside the bakery and after having peaked in to spy their incredible array of pastries, bread and sandwiches I couldn’t help but check out Mamiche for myself on a particularly hungover Saturday to sort me out with alll the carbs and boy it did not disappoint. 

This is outstanding baking on all levels and over the course of my stay I managed to try their donut like vanilla cream filled beignet, juicy cinnamon pastry and veggie sandwich which consisted of thick slices of outstanding fluffy bread, filled with perfectly seasoned roast veg that came tossed in parmesan, and everything wowed. 

I can see why people make the journey across town to get the bakery fix for Mamiche, I would if I lived in Paris and I am so happy I accidentally ended up literally living opposite it for a week. A must visit for proper French baked treat, you can thank me later!


EXCELLENT COFFEE @ YUMI




Just across the road from Mamiche is Yumi, a super cute cafe specialising in organic and vegan breakfast and cakes as well as juices which also happened to serve one of the best cups of coffees I have found in Paris. The interiors are gorgeous, with plenty of seating which makes it a great spot to catch up on emails.


A CREPE TO WOW @ BREIZH CAFE

So this a controversial one where I am slightly backtracking on a previously bad review (yes even I can be proven wrong). Breizh cafe always gets mentioned when it comes to the best places for crepes in Paris but when Maddie and I tried it last February I was not convinced considering the hefty price tags (10 euros upwards if you go for more extravagant options), especially with flavours being pretty meh.

Starving on my last day and severely craving a crepe however and with Breizh only being a 10 minute walk away from my Airbnb I thought I would leave my usual cynical self behind and give them another go and it was an altogether a much more pleasant experience! For one as solo diner I found a spot in the much more calm shop next door to the main dining space which felt cramped, hot and overfull on our first trip. The shop next door instead only has a couple of window seats and a big table in the middle to perch on, but was an oasis of calm with classical music playing and attentive as well as super fast service.

Already in a zen mood from the surroundings, I also went for one of their sweet specialities this time that came highly recommended by my waitress - a buckwheat crepe, topped with chestnut sauce, chestnut cream and chestnut ice cream which was an absolute dream to eat - a perfectly cooked crepe with fillings that weren’t too sweet and a rich and warming chestnut flavour throughout.

It’s still not a cheap place for a crepe, this one was 11 euros plus a steep 4.5 euros for a coffee but on this occasion I didn’t mind considering the quality of food served and the lovely setting. So if you do go to Breizh Cafe for a crepe skip the main restaurant and head to the shop next door, for me it meant a totally different experience and if you are after something sweet I cannot recommend their chestnut crepe enough!


THE BEST COOKIES IN TOWN @ SCOOP ME A COOKIE


I am a bit of a cookie connoisseur, as my regular visit to Crème and Ben’s Cookies in London would attest to, so had to immediately try this amazing little cookie shop on one of the busiest street of the Marais, Rue de Bretagne, as I wondered past one afternoon in-between shows. And their interesting array of flavours didn’t disappoint! In fact they do such inventive flavour combos and so many of them that I am really sad I only got to try one this time. There is a baked Alaska cookie with meringue and white chocolate, a matcha cookie with dark chocolate, a banana bread cookie, a peanut butter, milk chocolate and pretzel cookie, and a Kinder chocolate cookie plus too many to list which is crazy considering the 4 flavours you get a creme and 8 at Ben’s.

Overwhelmed by choice, I played it safe and when for their ‘Surprise Me’ cookie, a heavenly combo of caramelised Pecan nuts and huge white chocolate chunks and it was definitely on par with Creme’s miso white chocolate one and miles better than any at Ben’s.

I will most definitely go back to Scoop Me A Cookie and get a box next time as I was seriously impressed by their range of flavours and if you are in Paris a cookie pit stop here is a must.


MEXICAN COCKTAILS @ CANDELARIA

Candelaria is a great hidden basement bar, upstairs is a proper Mexican restaurant, with a buzzy vibe and fun crowd! It gets super busy on the weekend so be prepared to fight your way to the bar.



--> A CLASSY DRINK BEFORE THE EUROSTAR @ SAPE BAR IN THE 25HOURS TERMINUS NORD HOTEL


The area around Gare Du Nord station is not exactly the best place to grab a nice last drink before jumping on the Eurostar back to London, in fact the cafes and restaurants right outside the station are generally a bit grim, but there is one hidden spot away from the suitcase carrying crowds.

In fact the 25hours Terminus Nord hotel, which I have stayed at previously and loved, has a hidden little bar on their first floor which is not only gorgeous interior wise but has a very nice chilled vibe and great wine by the glass


MY TOP 3 PFW BACKSTAGE MOMENTS

Of course my PFW diary needs to include some fashion so here you go!

Dries Van Noten - Makeup by Inge Grognard





Balmain - Casting by Adam Hindle





Mugler - Nails by Sylvie Macmillan


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